Live Rock Curing - Good Bacteria Question.

[schabiazabi]

I'm new to all this stuff, and I'm curing live rock for the first time. I cleaned the rock very very well from the outside and placed the rock in a bucket with a powerhead. After 1 week the ammonia disappeared (from 2.0 to 0.0), but nitrite is there at 5.0 (or from 2.0 to 5.0 as the saltwater toolkit nitrite chart color for 2.0 and 5.0 is the same to me). Nitrate is at 80 (seems high). No smell as everything was super cleaned out.

What I do not know is the following: Am I done with curing live rock or I need to wait until Nitrite disappears as well?

As of now I'm assuming it's finished and the rock is ready, but at the same time I have a feeling the rock is still producing ammonia but the good bacteria is exchanging it for nitrite. To confuse myself and you more I'm also thinking ammonia and nitrite will always be there, but I will not be able to test for it as long as the good bacteria (nitrate) is there neutralizing it.

This thread may seem stupid to some, but like I said this is my first time doing it.

[Saltwater To Go]

Sorry but you do need to wait till nitrite is 0 ppm. Also when you transfer the live rock to your main tank, I would wait at least a week, and test your water every other day to make sure your ammonia and nitrite go up agian. good luck

fiahman

[Mad Mead]

for the whole thing to happen it takes three week or more. when the curing process is complete the rock has a fresh,ocean smell and is free of dead, decaying organisms.
the three weeks allows beneficial bacteria to restore the rock to health by breaking down dead organisms and replacing. that say your rock water will spike up more then once and then level out. take notes daily on those spikes. one more thing if it has no light to reach it this will take longer. this is not proven but I think has loads to do. it some light as in light in the room. on a light placed around it. some tind to keep it dark under a table with no light that will cause it to take weeks longer. if you have any more Q&A always ask. i do and I have friends in bio and agg so i always bug them

[Matities23]

I would suggest do weekly water changes.. Tip.. use your old saltwater when doing water changes... Save you some $$. Give it a month.. if you want go for 2. I always cure my rocks for 3 month outside in the sun..with weekly water changes and a block of Calcium to grow coraline. ( fast way to grow it)

[schabiazabi]

I would suggest do weekly water changes.. Tip.. use your old saltwater when doing water changes... Save you some $$. Give it a month.. if you want go for 2. I always cure my rocks for 3 month outside in the sun..with weekly water changes and a block of Calcium to grow coraline. ( fast way to grow it)

That was helpful, but i'm not sure what you mean by "use your old saltwater". Do you mean from my DT?

Outside in the sun sounds cool, but I'm in New Jersey, so I'm not sure how cold I can run my live rock. The temp here just started to hit 60.

Thanks for the calcium tip.

[Matities23]

ohhh thats right you are up north.. well you could add a heater.. and yea the old water you use from DT so you dnt have to mix or buy more water. And the calcium you could order a sealab block 1Kg for about 21$ and that should be good for almost 3 months.

[schabiazabi]

I bought a batch of Tonga rock, so I will try what you suggested.

[Matities23]

good luck!! hope u dnt mind asking u..but how much did you pay for the rock?

[schabiazabi]

$2 per lbs.